Newbie to AACA and 1st time entering a car

[Pontiac70]

Hello to All.  I recently joined the AACA at the event in Gettysburg this summer.  I would like to enter my car for the Fall Meet in Hershey.  I see they extended the deadline so I am trying to get my car registered in time.  My question is what class?  My car details...

1994 Pontiac Firebird Formula (I'm the original owner)

It is basically all factory stock, with the exception of a flowmaster cat-back exhaust system.  No other modifications are done to my car.  I have read the Nationals brochure and looked at all the classes.  I'm unsure of HPOF, DPC or 36L (Factory HP-Buick and Pontiac, 90-98)?  Would my exhaust exclude me from HPOF?  I have driven mine (65k on it) so it could be DPC.   The regular judged classes are for restored cars, but mine really isn't "restored".  Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Oldsmobile 83]

Pontiac 70,

If I were you, I would try and enter it into the 36L judged class.  The judged classed do not require that the vehicle be restored.  Looking at the judging form, it appears that a non-authentic exhaust system would only be a 5 point deduction.  If the rest of the car is as it would have been delivered from the dealer, that would be a minor deduction.

 

Just my thoughts,

Thanks, Tim

[John_S_in_Penna]

2 hours ago, Pontiac70 said:

I would like to enter my car for the Fall Meet in Hershey.... I'm unsure of HPOF, DPC or 36L (Factory HP-Buick and Pontiac, 90-98)..

Mr. Pontiac, are you interested in having it judged,

and receiving awards;  or just attending a great show

and displaying your car for people to see?

 

I recommend the Class 36L also.  It will then be parked

among similar cars.  Then, in 36L, you can have it judged

(scored) for a possible First Junior Award, or Second Junior

Award, or Third Junior Award, depending on its authenticity

and condition.  You'll have to stay around your car until

the judges come to evaluate it, so you are there to answer

any questions they may have. 

 

Alternatively, you can have it in 36L with similar cars, but

on the entry form check "Do Not Judge."  That's what I do,

because I like to display my car for others' enjoyment, but

do not care about awards.  The judges won't look at your car,

and you won't get any awards, but you are free to walk around

the show all day and enjoy it.

 

HPOF (Historic Preservation of Original Features) is for cars

that are nearly all original, not restored.  Entries score best that

have nothing repainted or reupholstered or redone, even though

the condition may be imperfect.  For example, people may like

seeing a rough 1912 Packard, because they can see what all

the original factory details looked like.  Cars in HPOF are all

lumped together, so that Packard may be parked between a

1988 Pontiac Fiero and a 1962 Ford pick-up truck.

 

Have fun at the show!

 

 

Edited August 18, 2023 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[Pontiac70]

Thanks guys for your quick responses!  Yes, I would like to compete and have it judged.  My first choice was class 36L, then i saw the other ones and wasn't sure.  I am not new to showing cars, but new to the AACA so I wasn't sure where my 94 should fall.  My 1994 Formula tends to get overlooked at most shows, as it's still a "newer" car and it's not an LS Trans Am (lol).  That's why I joined the AACA, hoping to give it some "love" and maybe compete for junior, senior, stuff like that.  I feel the AACA is a great opportunity for my 94 to participate and enjoy the hobby more with that car.  It was my 1st new car I ever bought and still enjoy driving it!  I also own other Pontiacs (70 Trans Am and restoring a 65 GTO) and have plenty of trophies I have been fortunate enough to acquire over the years.  I don't necessarily need another trophy or award (not my soul purpose to be in this hobby) but, I still get a thrill of the "competition" aspect of showing at an event like AACA.  And, my Formula will enjoy the attention it will receive!  See you at the show!

[TAKerry]

Welcome to the AACA from a fellow Pontiac'r and Trans am owner (77,79). I like AACA because its not necessarily about 'trophies' as perfecting your own car. Where to put your car is what you want to get out of AACA. Having it judged would be my first choice. As mentioned you will be vying for an award depending on points garnered and with subsequent shows a chance to improve upon that score and move up the AACA ladder. I would imagine your car would be more than eligible for HPOF. I have my 77 in DPC (driver participation class) mainly because I have a few minor deviations from stock which would end up being too many point deductions. Your car should be more than adequate for that class as well. In DPC, your car is judged for correctness and you get an award but there is really no advancement, just an accumulation of awards, nothing wrong with that, I am trying to fill my board with chips, LOL.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Have fun!

[61polara]

Your exhaust would not exclude you from the HPOF class but would be a deduction.  You're permitted up to 6 deductions to qualify for the HPOF badge.